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FRANCE. 
History. worthy of the talents of the King ; for the Spanish gar- 
Wleemcaaipten idiporcance of the place, and knew that 
on that account’ the Archduke would’ mareh to its” relief, 
@ most obstinate and nt defence. “The 
Archduke did indeed advance to it, but not being able to 
force the French lines, though his army was composed of 
« 25,000 excellent troops, he retired, and Amiens surren~ 
dered to Henry. ‘The next enterprize of this monarch 
was against Dourlens, which he also hoped to take: But 
his troops were fatigued ; disease and discontent began 
to prevail among them; the works went slowly on from 
these causes, and the unfavourable weather ; the artillery 
could not be brought up, in’ consequence: of the badness 
of the roads ; and the vigilance of the Archduke had pre- 
pared the city with every thing necessary for its defence. 
Henry, therefore, had begun the siege, before he 
was convinced that it would be wise + Prccmeag it; = 
accordingly disbanded the greater part of his troops, an 
leaving his cavalry for the defence of the frontier, return- 
ed 13 Paris, ‘Here he was received with every mark of 
loyalty-and attachment; but his stay could not be long, 
for Brittany still was in possession of the 3 and 
* the Duke of Morceur, of the family of Lorraine, nourish- 
ed the flames of sedition there. The King, therefore, as 
soon as the return of spring permitted his troops to 
march, advanced to Angers. The Duke taken unawares, 
and deserted by the principal part of the nobility, ‘consi- 
dered ‘himself as utterly lost, when the lucky th 
1 lought pre- 
sented itself of offering his daughter, the heiress of his 
at his request a con was held, the ipotentia- 
ries of iinie’ and Spain, at Veriae? a oa Picardy. 
ooght hnsell at what anonerier tachi meakty aud Pros 
it in what manner he might satisfy the Pro- 
testants, without offending the Catholics, or exciting their 
Fadict of Suspicions. This was no easy task; but he effected it in 
Nantes. © @ wise and’ politic manner, by passing the famous edict 
of Nantes in favour of the Protestants. This edict con- 
firmed to them all the rights and privileges which had 
pony tom egt them by former princes, and it added a 
free ion to all employments of trust, profit, and ho- 
nour ;-an establishment of chambers of justice, in which 
the members of the two religions were equal ; and liber- 
ty to-educate their children without restraint in any of 
the universities. _ The iations at Vervins were at- 
tended with considerable difficulties, but these being re- 
moved principally by means of the Pope, Hen signed 
a peace, by which he obtained the restitution of Calais, 
Ardres, lens, and all the towns of France which 
Spain had wrested from him, but at the same time gave 
up his pretensions to Cainbray, . 
‘When this peace was concluded in 1598, France stood 
much in need of repose, The crown was loaded with 
debts and pensions ; the country was uncultivated; the 
people were poor “and miserable ; and the nobility, long 
VOL, IX. PART IL. 
task remained for him than 
585 : 
aceustomed to a life of rebellion and plunder, were desti- _ History. 
tute of all sense of justice, moderation, or loyalty. -Hen- 
ry, therefore, “was convinced, that a ‘still more arduous Henry’s ef- 
any he had yet undertaken ; frts to im- 
to 
and that'it would be necessa Dring all his powers of P*°v* *h 
mind into action, if he wished to’ restore happiness to France. 
France. He was also convinced, that the’ measures 
which it would be necessary to pursue, would meet with 
violent opposition from all those, whose habits and inter- 
ests attached them to rapine and disordér; but he was 
neither intimidated at the greatness, nor perplexed by the 
intricacy, of the task which he undertook. No man in- 
deed was better qualified for it. Res 
His object was single ; he suffered no thought or wish 
to interfere with his desire for the public good ; and his 
talents were of that description, that what he desired ar- 
dently and sincerely, he could examine in all its bearings, 
and ascertain every possible mode by which it could be 
accomplished. He was aware that he must proceed with 
caution, and that many must be enticed to do or permit, 
what, if they were ordered to do, or reasoned with, they - 
would undoubtedly oppose. Among all men of the mi- 
litary profession, he’ possessed great influence, from his’ 
‘success in war, and his courageous and open disposition ; 
while, to the nobility in general, he was recommended by 
his magnanimity, gallantry and gaiety. The people loved 
and reverenced him ; they were convinced, that all his 
actions were directed to their good, and they even gave 
him credit for aiming at it, when their ignorance or their 
passions prevented them from perceiving in what man 
ner his measures would promote it. As the more violent 
and factious had experienced his vigour and ie 
tude, they were afraid to excite his suspicion, by oppo- 
sing his schemes. Thus he found himself in a:condition 
to undertake the mighty and benevolent work of 
nerating France, and of curing the wounds which_a long 
civil war had inflicted on her morals, her happiness, and 
her finances. — Still, however, the task was too great for 
one mind, even of the highest talents, and purest views. 
‘Henry, therefore, called to his assistance the Marquis de 
Rosny, whom he created Duke of Sully. This justly character 
celebrated man, in some respects resembled his master ; of Sully. 
and where he did not resemble him, thé difference was 
such, as rendered their dispositions ‘and talents mutually 
beneficial, instead of antagonist to each other. Henry 
was naturally fond of pleasure, and of a volatile temper ; 
hence he required a steady and thoughtful: friend, ‘pose 
sessed of more coolness and perseverance than himself: 
this friend he found in Sully. « Attached to his mas- 
ter’s person by friendship, and to his interest and the 
public good by principle, he employed himself with the 
most indefatigable ind to restore the dignity of the 
crown without giving umbrage to the nobility, or tres- 
passing on the rights of the people.” As all these plans 
of reform and amelioration depended on the restoration 
of the finances, Sully first applied his attention to them, 
and, in a very short time, he exhibited a statement of 
them so simple, clear, and satisfactory, digesting the 
whole system into tables, that the King became perfectly 
master of his own affairs, and was able, by a single glance, 
to see all the branches of his revenue and expenditure. 
As it was one of Sully’s maxims, that every man employ- 
ed in collecting the revenue was a citizen lost to the pub- 
lic, and yet maintained by the public, he levied taxes in 
the shortest and most frugal manner ; all the expences of 
the government were curtailed: but those which were ne- 
45 
